Playa Mansa

Playa Mansa is considered the whole length of coast from Parada 1 up to Parada 24. The different seaside restaurants or "paradores" situated on its shores give their names to smaller sections of the beach. Thus, we have La Pastora from Parada 1 to 3, Posto Cinco at Parada 5, I'marangatú on Parada 7, El Grillo on Parada 12 and Las Delicias on Parada 24. As its name indicates - Mansa means tame – the waters are very calm. The sand is dry and fine. At different points on Playa Mansa there are windsurf and jet-ski rentals (Paradas 4, 7 and 10) and beach volley is played at Parada 9. Also in Parada 7 football matches for children are organized, plus aerobics for adults. At sunset it is common see people jogging along the shore.

Playa Brava

Playa Brava is, among the beaches close to the peninsula, the most popular. Its sands are thicker than the Mansa's, and the waters are stronger and saltier. It lies towards the sunrise, and it is frequent to see party goers, all dressed up, watching the sun come up. The more massive concentration points are due to the seaside restaurants or "paradores", among which the most notables are: Playa Brava, La Olla, Pappa Charlie and La Plage. Between one and the other there are vast empty spaces. The area closest to the peninsula is called "the fingers", due to the sculpture of a hand that is found at the entrance to that portion of the beach. Parasols, deckchairs and tents can be rented here. During the summer season, there are beach volley and surf championships.

Hotel Casino Conrad Punta del Este

It has 72 tables distributed as follows: Main Hall 37 tables (18 roulette, Black Jack 8, 2 Midi-Baccarat and banking point, Seven and Half 2, 4 Oasis Poker, 2-Let it Ride poker-mode and 1 Craps table, the Poker Room has 11 tables, while tables 24 Conrad Club. If you prefer, you can also try their luck in the wells with 560 Slots progressive. Every weekend presents international shows, concerts and live shows. The 14 rooms for social gatherings and business have the appropriate equipment and technology to organize events from 20 to 5,000 people and a gala banquet for 1,100 people.

Faro de Punta del Este

Crowned by a dome and red white stripes the lighthouse of Punta del Este perform his 147 years on November 17, 2007. Built in 1860 by Thomas Libarena witnessed the transformation of the people of Ituzaingó in Punta del Este remain strong to this day warning to vessels plying the waters of the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic Ocean. It is located in an upper part of the Punta del Este at a distance of almost equidistant from the shores of Playa Brava and Mansa beach, is surrounded by low-rise buildings including the Church and the meteorological station. Adjacent to the Lighthouse site is the Plaza del Faro is surrounded by palm trees that frame the rose that decorates the center. At 63 years of its inauguration in 1923, it undergoes a remodel of the existing facility provides including comfortable rooms for its residents. El Faro de Punta del este is a focal height of 44 meters with an excellent visual of 360 degrees, a spiral staircase of 150 steps that allow access to the dome that houses the glass prisms that were imported at the time of its construction from France, the strength and status of the circular tower base is largely due to the success of the material selected for the work which consists of a mixture of volcanic ash from Italy to provide a solid structure that exceeds the cement. Its lighting system with electric current is an alternative to gas for emergencies, has a geographic scope of 18 miles and 11 miles of light output, luminous intensity of 43,000 candles and it provides 2 flashes every 8 seconds. In the past was the center of activity and growth, now a mature centenary that will undoubtedly mark the path to the sea for many years.

Casa Pueblo

The CasaPueblo Workshop Museum is situated in Punta Ballena, 15 minutes from Punta del Este, Uruguay in the middle of this monumental construction. It is open during the 365 days of the year, from sunrise to sunset and is yearly visited by more than 60.000 tourists from all over the world. This part of Casapueblo was given over by its creator the artist Carlos Paez Vilaró wishing to incentive the cultural interest of the place. For this reason, he donated to the Museum a great part of his work carried out in different countries during the last 50 years. As years went by, Casapueblo Workshop became a continuous communication center where most of the visitors represent important personalities linked to art and politics. Conferences, presentations of books and all kind of cultural events take place in its rooms. The style of construction of the Museum follows the line of the rest of the building, that means, an architecture modeled fighting to break loose from the straight line and bearing in mind his bread-oven concept. Carlos Páez Vilaró, without being an architect, he is inspired by the "hornero" (oven-bird) and by the farmer who builds his home also with adobe (mud). The Mediterranean influence can also be perceived in the so particular style that characterizes the Uruguayan Master. The Ernesto Sábato Pathway is a clear example and was drawn by the own workers during they transported the materials. While one wanders around, great wooden and metal sculptures suddenly appear as if they were silently guarding the still boat. The mark of its creator can be found in every corner. The touch of his hand in each and every detail of the house. THE CEREMONY OF THE SUN is carried out on the terraces of the Museum, at sunset, every day of the year since 1994. It has become a classical routine that no visitor would want to avoid. A kind of solemn mass. An emotional silent moment where you can only hear the Artist’s voice dedicating a farewell poem every sunset. The ceremony is crowned by the flight of swallows and seagulls that fly over the terraces of the Museum attracted by the music that echoes out of the sea. The amazed visitors leave the place when the sun has completely disapeared in the horizon.

La Barra de Maldonado

20 kmts located east of the peninsula is La Barra de Maldonado. Originally a fishing village and some houses belonging to aristocratic families from San Carlos who were the first to raise their summer residences on the site. La Barra de Maldonado is distinguished by its rustic style, where the semi-wild environment combined with a very good structure of the features that make it ideal for a relaxed lifestyle and away from the pace of the city. But this peaceful place is communicated with the city of Punta del Este by modern roads, which lead to the city center in minutes. The short trip between La Barra de Maldonado and Punta del Este is an attraction in itself, given that wild beaches along the Atlantic Ocean. Another attraction of La Barra de Maldonado is its nightlife. Town pubs, bars and restaurants, the couple moved to Punta del Este epicenter is here in La Barra. In a context of a complete security and with an audience of high level, parents can feel confident while young enjoy the hot spots of the summer, along with personalities from the fashion and entertainment world that summer in La Barra de Maldonado.

Faro de Jose Ignacio

Within 40 kilometres of Punta del Este, in kilometre 182 of Route 10, the traveller finds himself in a paradisiacal and privileged corner of the Atlantic Uruguayan coast: the resort of José Ignacio. It is a small peninsula that stretches into the sea all along its two kilometres in length and eight hundred kilometres in width. On one side, looking West, lies the Playa Mansa – the calmer beach -, with its small fishing boats and its magic sunsets. On the other side, admiring the East, is the Playa Brava – the rougher sea – wide and of impressive waves. José Ignacio owes its name to a local villager who lived in the area in the times of the Spanish conquest. The Lighthouse, symbol of the area, carries the same name, and was built in 1877 on the farthest and rockiest point of the peninsula. Its height is of 32.5 metres, its geographic reach of 16.5 miles, and its lighting reach of 9 miles. All in all, it is scenic place where nature has made its overwhelming charm prevail. A seductive and delicate village, perfect to enjoy an endless rest. A resort where tranquillity and peace are interrupted only by the wind. It is located between two lakes, Garzón and José Ignacio. Surrounded by water, it is an ideal place for coastal and on board fishing. In terms of accommodation, there are some inns, no more than fifty rooms in total, or one may choose to rent a house for the week in José Ignacio itself or in the surrounding area, in this latter case, the extensions range from five to ten hectares and offer swimming pool, tennis courts, horses, etc. An additional element for the traveller who arrives in this beautiful shelter is gastronomy. Its restaurants are appealing for those who seek to taste not only the best seafood, but also original and trendy dishes. All these characteristics have transformed José Ignacio into a more and more popular tourist destination. People from all over the world come to visit Punta del Este’s latest relic.

The Culture House

It worked in the colonial era as Customs, then as the Economic and Administrative Board until 1984 as headquarters of the Municipality of Maldonado. It is now located the Directorate General of Culture of the Inspectorate, the Municipal Library, the School of Art and Theater.

Regional Museum Francisco Mazzoni

The spirit of the sensitive writer and historian Don R. Francisco Mazzoni gave life to an old mansion from the colonial era, creating in it an important museum, whose fame has transcended the borders of the country. Mazzoni coordinated series in this museum indigenous, Spanish, Portuguese, English, colonial and Creole of independent living, recreating our past in an orderly manner, so that the population of Maldonado know who we were able to understand what we are.

Cathedral San Fernando de Maldonado

Neoclassical style building, its construction began in 1801. It was inaugurated in October 1895 by the Archbishop of Montevideo, Dr. Mariano Soler (a native of San Carlos). His magnificent altar is the work of Antonio Veiga, having earned two awards in the continental exhibition held in Buenos Aires in 1882. The image of the Virgen del Carmen located on the main altar, belonged Steamed "City of Santander," which sank near Isla de Lobos in the year 1829. The Marquis de Comillas, owner of the lost steam, gave the image that today receives the veneration of the Virgin and on the basis of which the Uruguayan painter Carlos Santiago, reproduced the boat "City of Santander." Looking from the altar, to the left of the cruise, is an icon of Christ dying polychrome, which perfectly packaged in a box what drove the sea at our coast, no one knows who did it, for who he was, where it came from.

Del Vigía Tower

It was built under the direction of Don Rafael Perez del Puerto toward the year 1800, has five meters of hand and thirteen meters high. It was true that from his vantage point and height could be spotted a wide panorama of the Rio de la Plata. Its historical role was to inform the authorities in Buenos Aires developments on the entry of vessels to the estuary, as all went against the Puerto Maldonado.

Dragons Barracks

The construction of this building began in March 1771, finalized in 1797. His plant was designed by Spanish engineer Bartholomew Howel, who headed in his first stage. It covered an entire city block with a built-up land area of 2,500 square meters, built in stone masonry very well carved and roofing tiles, was the most important building of the colonial era in the area not only for its military target but for its high artistic value . The name was popular in the Dragons or Blandengues evoking the main bodies that were housed there, was honored that he took our military Prócer General Jose Gervasio Artigas on March 10 1797.

American Art Museum (MAAM)

Built in the late nineteenth century by Don Enrique Burnett as a private residence, was empowered as a museum by Mr. Jorge Paez Vilaró, has national and international collections of pieces of pre-Columbian art and Latin Americans which is open to the public in the months of high season.